The unknown Thomas Hardy : lesser-known aspects of Hardy's life and career /

A collection of discrete studies-some previously published as articles or delivered as public lectures-stemming from Orel's belief that there are ``major elements in Hardy's life {{which}} remain unfamiliar to the general public, and even to many Hardy scholars.'' His chapters are compendia on several of these issues-Hardy's interest in, and activities related to, architecture, the theater, archaeology, and the law; his friendships with literary persons; and his relations with two writers different from himself, Kipling and Haggard. (The chapter on the law, for example, considers such a range of matters as Hardy's interest in murder, executions, smuggling, prisoners, war, faith in mankind, and poorhouses, and his service as a magistrate and Assize juror, and also lists the lawyers appearing in Hardy's novels.) Orel carefully collects details and opinions from a range of generally available sources-such as Hardy's published letters, contemporaries' reminiscences, and modern scholarly studies, arranges them clearly, and presents the results in graceful prose. The book is indeed aimed mostly at general readers, but authorities in the areas studied should enjoy Orel's essays as well as learn incidental information from them. For researchers and advanced undergraduates.-D. Kramer, University of Illinois at BUrbana-Champaign